There is no shortage of worldly events in recent years that have shaken everyone. the GU Summit had a transparent conversation about mental health practices and how this generation can move forward.
Associate Publisher D’Shonda Brown moderate our Mind Over Chatter: Take control of your mental health board with amber deeFounder and CEO of Black Female + Male Therapist, discussing boundaries, emotional baggage, and showing yourself.
Between cultural, gender and identity discoveries, what are the best practices to balance personal and uncontrollable events? Our panelist Amber Dee discusses trauma recognition and safe, progressive mental health practices in the conversation. “To recognize [your truama] and then figure out how to let it go,” Dee said. “Whether he’s going through something or not, therapy can help him process.”
Black women often put on the cloak of trying to be superwomen and be the person who holds everything together, but throughout the GU Summit, Amber Dee reinforced the importance of saying no and sticking to your boundaries. “Saying it’s not huge,” Dee said.
The discussion allowed guests to discuss the importance of understanding common traumas, which we do not discuss. These traumas must be unpacked and released from bullying and work to childhood and generational trauma.
Starting by controlling yourself, unclench your jaw and breathe in. “Start small when unpacking,” Dee said. She emphasized being intentional about finding her a therapist and treating her like a date. The theme of giving grace to self prevailed because we don’t celebrate ourselves enough and don’t give ourselves the credit we deserve.
Be sure to watch the ESSENCE Girls United Summit 2022 live stream:https://girlsunited.essence.com/gusummit2022/.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 5: Amber Dee speaks onstage during the ESSENCE Girls United Summit at the Atlanta Center for Contemporary Arts on November 5, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
About Kenyatta: Kenyan victory is an entertainment and culture reporter with a passion for music, pop culture, and marginalized stories. She has bylines in publications such as the Chicago Reader, INSIDER, Girls United, TransLash Media, and the Chicago Tribune.
